Big Brother Reindeer Games Explained

Genre:	Reality competition
Presenter:	Derek Xiao Tiffany Mitchell
Country:	United States
Language:	English
Num Seasons:	1
Num Episodes:	6
Executive Producer:	Allison Grodner Rich Meehan Chris Roach
Company:	Fly on the Wall Entertainment Endemol Shine North America
Network:	CBS
Last Aired:	present
Related:	Big Brother

Big Brother Reindeer Games is a reality competition television series and spin-off of the American version of Big Brother. It premiered on CBS on December 11, 2023, and is hosted by former Big Brother HouseGuests Derek Xiao, Tiffany Mitchell, and Jordan Lloyd. The series features nine former HouseGuests competing against each other across six episodes which are airing over the course of two weeks.

House

The house used for Big Brother Reindeer Games was renamed to the Santa's Lodge under the holiday-theme. The entryway of the house is decorated with flying reindeer, gold-wrapped presents, and a red flannel rug. The living room has a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments and wreaths. The kitchen, which in this season was named "Mrs. Claus Bakery", has red and green wallpaper with Christmas symbols, and gingerbread men on the counters.^[1]

Format

Each episode will consist of three games and will end in a "Santa's Showdown", the outcome of which determines the elimination of one HouseGuest.^[2] The players will not live in the BB house, will not live together, and there will be no voting off of other players. Four HouseGuest will remain in the finale with one winning a grand prize.^[3]

Format changes and additions

Unlike the previous seasons of Big Brother, Reindeer Games won't involve any nominations, house-voted evictions or live broadcasts. Instead, the nine houseguests from previous seasons would compete in a series of holiday-themed daily challenges.^{[4] [1]}

Naughty and Nice Challenge

In this challenge, the houseguests would compete to gain an advantage for the next challenge, while simultaneously, giving a disadvantage for a houseguest of their choosing, also known as the Naughty List Punishment.

Jingle Bell Brawl Challenge

The winner, or winners, of this challenge, would receive safety from elimination.

Santa's Showdown

The nominees would compete against each other in various challenges to determine who would stay in the lodge and who would be eliminated from the game.

• The losing houseguest would get to choose a present under the Christmas tree that contains gifts from a fruit cake to $5,000.

HouseGuests

The HouseGuests were revealed intermittently throughout December 6 and 7, 2023.^[5]

	Previous Season(s)	Age	Occupation	Residence	Episode exited	Result
	Big Brother 16, Big Brother 18 & Big Brother 22: All-Stars	31	Boutique owner	Ubly, Michigan	6	Winner
Taylor Hale	Big Brother 24	28	Motivational speaker	Detroit, Michigan
	Big Brother 16	40	Actor	Los Angeles, California		Finalist
	Big Brother 23	29	Attorney	Milwaukee, Wisconsin		Finalist
	Big Brother 12 & Big Brother 14	36	Real estate agent	Tulsa, Oklahoma	5	bgcolor=salmon	Eliminated 5th Place
	Big Brother 19	29	Content creator	Miami, Florida	4	bgcolor=salmon	Eliminated 6th Place
	Big Brother 3 & Big Brother 7: All-Stars	51	Real estate manager	San Francisco, California	3	bgcolor=salmon	Eliminated 7th Place
	Big Brother 16 & Big Brother 22: All-Stars	32	Software sales rep	Howell, New Jersey	2	bgcolor=salmon	Eliminated 8th Place
	Big Brother 25	34	Stay-at-home dad	Eastman, Georgia	1	bgcolor=salmon	Eliminated 9th Place

Notes

Episodes

Competition history

The Houseguest won Big Brother Reindeer Games and the $100,000 prize.

The Houseguest was the runner-up.

The Houseguest was eliminated in the finale.

The Houseguest won the Jingle Bell Brawl challenge, securing immunity and nomination power.

The Houseguest was nominated to compete in the Santa's Showdown challenge.

The Houseguest was eliminated from the Lodge after losing the Santa's Showdown challenge.

HouseGuest! style="width:6.5%;"

Episode 1	Episode 2	Episode 3
Naughty and Nice Challenge Winner	Britney	Cody	Taylor	Frankie	Nicole	Xavier
Naughty List (s)	Cody	Taylor	Josh	Nicole Xavier	Xavier	Nicole
Jingle Bell Brawl Challenge Winner(s)	Frankie	Britney Danielle Josh Taylor	Nicole	Frankie Taylor	Taylor Frankie
Santa's Showdown Nominees	Cameron Xavier	Cody Frankie Xavier	Frankie Xavier Britney Danielle	Josh Nicole	Britney Xavier
Nicole	Safe	Safe	Brawl Winner	Showdown	Safe	Winner
Taylor	Safe	Brawl Winner	Safe	Brawl Winner	Brawl Winner	(Episode 6)
Frankie	Brawl Winner	Showdown	Showdown	Brawl Winner	Brawl Winner	Finalist (Episode 6)
Xavier	Showdown	Showdown	Showdown	Safe	Showdown	Finalist (Episode 6)
Britney	Safe	Brawl Winner	Showdown	Safe	Showdown	Eliminated (Episode 5)
Josh	Safe	Brawl Winner	Safe	Showdown	Eliminated (Episode 4)
Danielle	Safe	Brawl Winner	Showdown	Eliminated (Episode 3)
Cody	Safe	Showdown	Eliminated (Episode 2)
Cameron	Showdown	Eliminated (Episode 1)
Eliminated	Cameron Lost Santa's Showdown	Cody Lost Santa's Showdown	Danielle Lost Santa's Showdown	Josh Lost Santa's Showdown	Britney Lost Santa's Showdown	Xavier Bracket
						Frankie Lost Semi-Final Bracket
						Taylor Lost Final Bracket
						Nicole Won Final Bracket

Notes

Santa's gifts history

Episode	Eliminated HouseGuest	Santa's gift
1	Cameron
2	Cody
3	Danielle
4	Josh
5	Britney

Production

Development

In May 2023 Deadline Hollywood reported that CBS was considering an additional season of Big Brother in the 2023-24 television schedule, with "all-star contestants", to fill in gaps left by the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes.^[6] CBS had previously done the same with Big Brother 9 which aired in 2008 to combat the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike.^[7]

Ahead of the Big Brother 25 finale in November 2023, host Julie Chen Moonves teased a "holiday surprise" from the "Big Brother universe". In an interview following the episode, Chen Moonves stated that a fourth season of Celebrity Big Brother was unlikely to happen, but noted the possibility of a shortened season with returning players.^[8] The Hollywood labor disputes were ultimately ceased with the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike ending in October,^[9] and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike ending the following month.^[10] With most scripted series set to begin filming shortened seasons in late-November and early-December,^{[11] [12]} and most premiere dates not expected until 2024,^[13] there were still empty slots in the schedule.^[14]

During the Big Brother 25 finale, it was announced that a new spin-off of Big Brother would air in December titled Big Brother Reindeer Games.^[15] The series will be produced by Fly on the Wall Entertainment and Endemol Shine North America with Allison Grodner, Rich Meehan, and Chris Roach serving as executive producers, all returning from Big Brother.^[16]

Casting

The series will not feature Chen Moonves and will instead be hosted by former Big Brother HouseGuests Derek Xiao, Tiffany Mitchell, and Jordan Lloyd who will be known as "Santa's Elf Ambassadors"; Xiao and Mitchell competed on Big Brother 23, while Lloyd was on both Big Brother 11 and Big Brother 13^[17] Additionally, nine other former contestants, including one from Big Brother 25, will return to compete.^[18]

Marketing and release

The series premiered on December 11, 2023, and was filmed in its entirety prior to its release.^[19] It will feature no live feeds.^[20] Big Brother Reindeer Games will air three episodes a week on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, over two weeks, totaling six episodes before its finale on December 21.^[21] A teaser trailer was aired during the Big Brother 25 finale featuring former competitors Frankie Grande, Britney Haynes, and Danielle Reyes, and was styled off a similar teaser that opened the twenty-fifth season.^[22] Episodes from the series will also stream on Paramount+.^[23]

See also

• Big Brother UK Panto - A Christmas-themed spin-off of Big Brother UK in which former contestants reunited to produce the pantomime play.

External links

• Official website

Notes and References

1. Web site: 'The 'Big Brother: Reindeer Games' House Is Full of Christmas Cheer. Collider. Nicole. Weaver. December 9, 2023. December 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231213071643/https://collider.com/big-brother-reindeer-games-christmas-decorations/. December 13, 2023. live.
2. Global Gets Festive With First Ever Big Brother-Inspired Holiday Reality Special Big Brother Reindeer Games. Global Television Network. Corus Entertainment. November 9, 2023. November 9, 2023. November 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110053458/https://www.corusent.com/media-centre/press-releases/global-gets-festive-with-first-ever-big-brother-inspired-holiday-reality-special-big-brother-reindeer-games/. live.
3. Web site: 'Big Brother' Sets Holiday Special 'Reindeer Games' With Returning Houseguests From Past Seasons. Wu. Valerie. November 9, 2023. November 9, 2023. Variety. November 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110053356/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/big-brother-reindeer-games-cbs-premiere-date-1235786652/. live.
4. Web site: Big Brother Reindeer Games Premiere: Who Went Ho-Ho-Home on Night 1?. TVLine. Rebecca. Iannucci. December 11, 2023. December 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231213052229/https://tvline.com/recaps/big-brother-reindeer-games-recap-episode-1-cameron-eliminated-premiere-1235097378/. December 13, 2023. live.
5. Web site: Longeretta . Emily. December 7, 2023 . 'Big Brother Reindeer Games' Cast: Meet the Past Winners and Fan-Favorites Competing in the Holiday Showdown. December 7, 2023 . Variety . en.
6. Web site: Unscripted TV Community Fears Strike Impact: "It's Not Going To Be A Carefree, Hot Girl, Reality Summer". White. Peter. May 11, 2023. November 9, 2023. Deadline Hollywood. September 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230927185449/https://deadline.com/2023/05/writers-strike-unscripted-tv-community-fears-impact-1235359990/. live.
7. Web site: Broadcasters Set To Feel Real Strike Pain: A Network Scorecard. Learmouth. Michael. January 9, 2008. November 9, 2023. Business Insider. November 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110053351/https://www.businessinsider.com/2008/1/strike-dday-for-the-networks-february-sweeps. live.
8. Big Brother host Julie Chen Moonves teases a possible winter 'Legends' season. Ross. Dalton. November 2, 2023. November 9, 2023. Entertainment Weekly. November 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231108162029/https://ew.com/tv/big-brother-julie-chen-moonves-winter-legends-season/. live.
9. Web site: It's Official: WGA Members Overwhelmingly Ratify New Three-Year Deal With Studios. White. Peter. Patten. Dominic. October 9, 2023. November 9, 2023. Deadline Hollywood. November 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231109000713/https://deadline.com/2023/10/writers-strike-deal-approved-ratification-vote-1235567930/. live.
10. Web site: STRIKE OVER: Actors Make a Deal With Studios After 118 Days. Kilkenny. Katie. November 8, 2023. November 9, 2023. The Hollywood Reporter. November 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231109004238/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/sag-aftra-deal-reached-studios-union-contract-terms-1235607563/. live.
11. Web site: Inside the Networks' Post-Strike Plan to Salvage the '23-24 TV Season (Hint: Prepare for the Shortest Season of Grey's Anatomy in 19 Years). Ausiello. Michael. November 3, 2023. November 9, 2023. TVLine. November 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231108162633/https://tvline.com/news/tv-series-episode-counts-broadcast-networks-strike-greys-anatomy-nbcis-1235067079/. live.
12. Web site: Return To Work: List of First TV Series To Restart Production After SAG-AFTRA Strike. Andreeva. Nellie. November 9, 2023. November 9, 2023. Deadline Hollywood. November 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231109195452/https://deadline.com/2023/11/tv-shows-return-dates-actors-strike-1235598536/. live.
13. Web site: 2023-24 Episode Count & Production Start Plans Tweaked For Series Like 'Grey's Anatomy', 'CSI: Vegas' & Wolf Entertainment Dramas As Strike Goes On. Andreeva. Nellie. November 3, 2023. November 9, 2023. Deadline Hollywood. November 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231109013621/https://deadline.com/2023/11/2023-24-episode-count-greys-anatomy-wolf-entertainment-chicago-fbi-laworder-csi-vegas-strike-1235589743/. live.
14. Web site: TV Actors Getting Back To Work After SAG-AFTRA Strike As Series Start Setting Return To Production Dates. Andreeva. Nellie. November 8, 2023. November 9, 2023. Deadline Hollywood. November 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231109022319/https://deadline.com/2023/11/tv-series-return-to-production-dates-sag-aftra-strike-1235594633/. live.
15. Web site: Julie Chen Moonves Announces 'Big Brother: Reindeer Games' Special Winter Series. Seemayer. Zach. November 9, 2023. November 9, 2023. Entertainment Tonight. November 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110053352/https://www.etonline.com/julie-chen-moonves-announces-big-brother-reindeer-games-special-winter-series-214639. live.
16. Web site: CBS Sets 'Big Brother' Holiday Spin-Off 'Reindeer Games'. Knolle. Sharon. November 9, 2023. November 9, 2023. The Wrap. November 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110053859/https://www.thewrap.com/big-brother-holiday-spinoff-reindeer-games-cbs/. live.
17. Web site: Big Brother Sets All-Star Reindeer Games Holiday Edition With Big Format Changes — Who Should Come Back?. Nemetz. Dave. November 9, 2023. November 9, 2023. TVLine. November 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110053854/https://tvline.com/news/big-brother-reindeer-games-premiere-date-cast-cbs-1235077918/. live.
18. Web site: 'Big Brother Reindeer Games' Announced By CBS. Berman. Marc. November 9, 2023. November 9, 2023. Forbes. November 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110053901/https://www.dianomi.com/smartads.epl?id=12466&cf=1324.1901.forbes%20canvas&gdpr_consent=null&gdpr=null&canServeAds=true&canCookie=true&partner_tcf_status=2.0&partnerTcfStatus=2.0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fmarcberman1%2F2023%2F11%2F09%2Fbig-brother-reindeer-games-announced-by-cbs%2F%3Fsh%3D475d8c923731&unitId=dianomi-12466-ZU3B80_YZvl9F5QCq2B8SgAAAD80. live.
19. Ho! Ho! Huh? Big Brother to air Reindeer Games all-stars mini-season. Ross. Dalton. November 9, 2023. November 9, 2023. Entertainment Weekly. November 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110053854/https://ew.com/tv/big-brother-reindeer-games-all-stars-legends-season/. live.
20. Web site: 'Big Brother Reindeer Games' To Premiere In December. Rice. Lynette. November 9, 2023. November 9, 2023. Deadline Hollywood. November 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110030802/https://deadline.com/2023/11/big-brother-reindeer-games-december-bb-legends-1235598965/. live.
21. Web site: 'Big Brother' Announces "Reindeer Games" Holiday Special. Bloom. Mike. November 9, 2023. November 9, 2023. Parade. November 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110053854/https://parade.com/tv/big-brother-reindeer-games-holiday-special. live.
22. Web site: Big Brother Reindeer Games Coming In December. Powell. John. November 9, 2023. November 9, 2023. Global Television Network. November 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110053855/https://www.globaltv.com/big-brother-reindeer-games-coming-in-december/. live.
23. Web site: 'Big Brother' Sets Holiday-Themed 'Reindeer Games' to CBS Winter Lineup. Darwish. Meaghan. November 9, 2023. November 9, 2023. TV Insider. November 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110053857/https://www.tvinsider.com/1111102/big-brother-reindeer-games-holiday-competition-schedule-houseguests/. live.